Not your favorite actor, but who is or was the best working actor, in your opinion?

[oldman]

Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Clint Eastwood As for Caine, I don't think he had to work hard at being a great actor. It seems to come natural for him. I also like Owen Wilson, but he's a nut job. A good Caine movie is "Secondhand Lion."

If we're going back in years, I thought Bogart and Bacall. Cagney was not as good as his pictures made him appear to be.
K. Hepburn, J. Garland, Hayworth, Keaton and Jessica Tandy for female actresses.

I was going to include Anthony Hopkins, but I was once told by another Hollywood star that he is very narcissistic and even though that shouldn't exclude him from the list, I don't care for those types. So, that would also exclude one of my favorite actors in Jack Nicholson. Nicholson works hard and is a perfectionist, or at least was when he was still making movies.

 

[oldman]

I'll vote for Anthony Hopkins too.

Also,
Michael Douglas
Tom Hanks
Walter Matthau
Humphrey Bogart

Yes, for Michael Douglas and just like his dad, he is a down to earth type person.

 

[Gaer]

Gary O': I've never seen "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" I must watch that!

Old Man: Yes, I've seen "Secondhand Lions" many times. One of my favorite! Michael Caine is wonderful! Never cared for Kirk Douglas though. I loved Bert Landcaster. Gregory Peck, Robert Taylor, Herbert Marshall, David Niven, Walter Matthow, Jack Lemmon, Tom Selleck, Monte Wooley, Melvyn Douglas, Gary Cooper, Glenn Ford, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, William Powell, Brian Donlevy, Harrison Ford, even Dennis Morgan, (though i don't like musicals) K.Hepburn is tremendous as an actress. Oh! Tom Hanks! (goes without saying!) hahaha! Did I miss anyone?

 

[DannyDoughboy]

Brando, Bogart

Bogart fan here too! "Play it Sam"

 

[Devi]

And, to name someone a little bit different -- Peter O'Toole. Quite brilliant, in my book.

 

[Gaer]

i forgot to say Harvey Keitel. He's brilliant! How could i forget him?

 

[MarciKS]

I don't think Johnny Depp gets nearly enough credit for all the bizarre character roles he plays. He's my pick.

 

[Warrigal]

I once heard Sam Neill describe himself as "a jobbing actor" by which I gather he meant that he wasn't too fussy about the roles and would take whatever he was offered. He always puts in a professional effort whether it be comedy, drama or fantasy. He is never puffed up with his own importance and these days he divides his time between acting and grape growing/wine making in New Zealand. Good actor and top bloke IMO.

 

[katlupe]

Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino (and many more), The role they are playing makes the difference.